Taylor Atkinson’s Reviews > Social Justice Parenting: How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-Minded Kids in an Unjust World – An Empowering Guide to Diversity, Activism, and Meaningful Change > Status Update

"Through critical conversations and a strong commitment to reflection, parenting -- whether it's through a lens of social justice or not -- is always about making the best decisions with the knowledge you have; making mistakes, adjusting, and then readjusting. Remember to give yourself and your children grace and compassion as you do this work together. It does make a difference; I promise you."

"Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest. Right now, our country is yearning for those traits to shine through in all of us..."

"If you don't call [private body parts] by name, it teaches your child that the private parts of their body are something to hide or something to be ashamed of. In not naming, you unintentionally teach your children that if someone touches them "there," it may not be safe to tell you, or a trusted adult, since even saying the real name of my private parts out load was too scary -- even for mommy."

"Raising children who recognize when something doesn't feel right to them in their bodies begins when you teach your children about body parts. Actively teaching about body privacy, where children are clear about the parts of their body that are private and shouldn't be looked at our touched by others, begins by using the actual names of body parts."

"We have to listen to, and affirm, our children's voices. It doesn't force one dominant powerful voice but, instead, reexamines cultural assumptions that would have us silence or disregard a young person's voice. Children have important and valid perspectives, even if they are different than yours. Learning more about their viewpoints will ultimately help you learn more about your child. And who doesn't want that?"

[Open dialogue] may sound odd to you. Parents are often assumed to be correct. And because of age and experience, sometimes we are. But if we let the power differential between parent and child get in the way of listening, we slowly drown out the voices of our children and they become unable to use their voice out in the world.

"But if we don't give our children opportunities to practice using their voice at home, they won't know how to use it in the world."

"Allyship helps you move from protecting your children to teaching your children how to protect and stand with other."

Being an ally means standing in unconditional solidarity to the people and the cause without seeking their validation for the work that you are doing. You should never be in the front. You should never take charge unless you are directly asked to do so. You are transferring the benefits of your privilege to those that lack it in that moment.